WHAT IS THE SECRET OF LIFE? Most people would have to admit if pressed that figuring out the mystery of life and discovering what they are here for would be the most precious (and elusive) thing, simply because it seems unattainable. I remember a TV show called “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” and the answer to the “Fundamental Question about Life, the Universe and Everything” was simply 42, of course, then they had to figure out what the “Fundamental Question” was. !! Nothing is easy when it comes to finding out the meaning of life.
Ask most people and there will be mixed answers about the meaning of life: what are we really “here” for? Some will say, ‘to have a good time’, others might say, ‘to live and learn’, and still others, ‘to make money and enjoy spending it’. Ask me, and my answer is relatively clear: “I am here to grow in wisdom.” I want to grow in myself virtual seven: live the path of diligence and prudence; seek to create and maintain shalom and balance; live in a way that nurtures trust and maintains respect and ultimately settle for nothing less than wisdom.
Wisdom: There is no goal like it. The ancients held it as the crown jewel of life: it must be esteemed beyond any earthly treasure. Why are there so many throughout history who have fallen in love with her? We are going to explore.
The main point here is the “effect” of wisdom. What does wisdom really accomplish for us? Because I found wisdom of intense interest, I started my search some time ago. A bit like happiness, wisdom seems relatively elusive, but there are rewards for those who seek it.
Among the research I’ve done, I’ve found that wisdom provides three outstanding things in abundance, as a general rule. Try this. See if it applies to the lives of those you see as wise. First, wisdom promises long life. This is longevity of life, and it is also quality of life through the years. Have you ever noticed how some people age quite quickly and are a frazzled force by the time they reach their sixties or seventies, while others overcome these barriers seemingly at ease and are full of energy by their 90s? These latter people are probably the ones who lived wisely, taking care of their bodies and minds, achieving balance in life, living diligently and prudently, not foolishly. They lived in peace with their peers and were not swallowed up by the worry and cancer of the so-called stress of life and the dysfunctional relationships that surrounded them.
Second, wisdom promises prosperity. This is shalom, the Jewish Hebrew word. It is all that is truly good for us; well-being, wholeness, wealth (the right kind of wealth from the right way of living), peace, well-being, and the absence of turmoil and discord. Is he feeling that you have cracked the code of life: you have accomplished what you were sent to do. Mission accomplished… that sort of thing. How many people actually sit down at 70, reflect on their lives, and say “I’ve felt this way my whole life”? Not many would suggest; however, that is exactly our goal: not to have wasted our lives just living, but to make it worthwhile in some way, working to leave a legacy, having a purpose. It’s about looking for the right things in life. The effect is prosperity. It’s about teaching your kids those same right things and guiding them from day to day, and watching them ‘crack the code’. What better outcome could there be than this destiny of prosperity?
The third and final promise of wisdom is honor! I love something I recently read, again from theologian Paul Koptak: “Nothing earns more honor than working toward goals higher than praise.” We all seek praise and honor in life. However, Wisdom turns this on its head and simply says: Forget seeking honor in itself and seek me first and I will give you honor at the right time, indeed I will give it to you in forms and amounts that you will be fully grateful for, but do not work for honor alone. Work to reach me instead.
Nothing satisfies as much as a good name, a good reputation. Do not work only for praise and honor, just do the right, fair and just things and the honorable things will come to you by themselves. Forget about competing and comparing yourself to others. Focus on doing the right thing.
Of course, attaining wisdom really means attaining God, being at peace with him. Just as God is love, God is wisdom.
seek wisdom; gain wisdom; climb it, look for it and never give up. You will never regret achieving the true treasure of life: long life, prosperity and honor. Not only will you achieve the treasure, you will also get much closer to knowing with faithful certainty, the true meaning of life.
© 2007 Steve Wickham.